Army base at Keetmanshoop gets new commander

25 Feb 2014 19:00pm

KEETMANSHOOP, 25 FEB (NAMPA) - The Commanding Officer of the 12th Motorised Infantry Brigade at the military base in Keetmanshoop, Brigadier-General Bernard Kawa has been appointed as Defence Attaché to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
His work as commanding officer at the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) base in Keetmanshoop ended on Tuesday when he handed over the Symbol of Power to the incoming commander, Colonel Peter Nghipunyati Nghilukilwa.
The recently appointed Chief of the NDF, Lieutenant-General John Mutwa witnessed the transfer at the southern town.
Nghilukilwa was the Deputy Commander of the 12th Motorised Infantry Brigade from its inception in 1999 to 2004, before he was transferred to the Fourth Artillery Brigade in Otjiwarongo with the same rank.
He was stationed in Otjiwarongo until his return to Keetmanshoop on Tuesday.
Brigadier-General Kawa has been the commanding officer here since January 2010; and is expected to start work in the DRC as from 01 March 2014.
Addressing the event, he encouraged the members of the force to continue maintaining good discipline and being courageous in their work.
I welcome my new responsibility and promise to deliver to the best of my ability. It is quite a burden, but I will serve with full commitment, accountability and humbleness, he said.
On his part the incoming commander, Nghilukilwa promised that he will make sure the brigade is trained well, motivated and maintains a high standard of discipline.
Training will be one of my first priorities. Commanders at all levels, men and women in uniform, you will be required to acquaint yourselves with my training directives as this will help you understand and implement my training objectives, he said.
Nghilukilwa discouraged the abuse of alcohol among members of the force as he described it as the biggest problem facing the armed force.
I will not entertain or permit members of this formation to involve themselves in tribalism, favouritism and nepotism activities. We should rather concentrate our efforts in team building activities such as training and sport, he stated.
The incoming commander further urged the members to uplift their role of defending the territorial integrity and national interest of Namibia.
Our greatest aim as men and women in uniform is and will always be to defend this country and its people, Nghilukilwa said.
(NAMPA)
PKS/AS